Three Burdens

Three statues stand poised Upon marble columns, Their varying shades of grey, Which speak to their age, Are bathed in the sunshine. One, on bent knee, Supports a stone upon his back That threatens to break his will, Yet he will not let it fall. His face is marked by pain From the constant trial. To his right stands another Who has taken on an orb. He stands with arms raised And neck bent, lest it Fall from a-top his shoulders. In him the worry is obvious For even the slightest error In judgment will see his burden Fall from his aching back. The last mans load is not As difficult as his companions. His is smaller and lighter

And carried before him in his arms. Nevertheless sadness is Clearly marked on his features For he assumes a yoke Which is never out of his sight. Each of these three is Waging a war against himself, One which is ever present And can never be won. Unless, perhaps, they were To let their stones fall.

By Andrew Cohee